(Danville) — Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency for Virginia Tuesday in advance of Tropical Storm Debby.
The state is expecting rain and high winds to begin as early as Wednesday and continue through Friday locally. Debby has already hammered Georgia and South Carolina with near-constant rain the past two days. The National Hurricane Center has forecast up to 25 inches of rain in some areas.
“I urge all Virginians and visitors to stay informed, follow local emergency guidelines, and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their families and communities. There is the potential for strong winds, heavy rains, and possible flooding across regions of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Youngkin. “It’s crucial that we work together and remain vigilant during these times to minimize the impact of the storm. The effects of Debby are far-reaching, and our neighboring states are facing significant challenges.”
Tropical Storm Debby is expected to hover over the Atlantic the next couple of days, then come back on to the mainland, with the remnants passing over Southside Virginia early Friday.
Local emergency service officials say Debbie could drop 6-8 inches of rainfall on the Danville area by the end of the week. There could be isolated areas that see much more rainfall.
The Danville Fire Department’s emergency management team is monitoring things and participating in daily briefings with the National Weather Service. So far no weather alerts or warning have been issued.